Aug 16 (Island) Never a dull moment in this country! Issues crop up at such a rate that one finds it difficult to keep track of them. In a turn of events replete with irony Tilak Marapana has been appointed Foreign Minister. Irony wouldn’t have come into play if anyone else had got that post which fell vacant upon Ravi Karunanayake’s recent resignation. It may be recalled that Marapana himself once resigned as Minister of Law and Order, of course, under duress, for holding a brief for Avant Garde more..

Aug 16 (CT) The FCID has been making headlines since its inception in 2015, under the purview of the Sri Lanka Police. However, there have been a lot of questions regarding the FCID's functioning and speed. What exactly has the FCID been doing these past two years? How many complaints that were brought to the FCID have been investigated? How many have been referred to Courts? Police Media Spokesperson Ruwan more..

Aug 16 (PHC) The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra has said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been linked since ancient times, a link which is now 2,300 years old. In 1948, shortly after Independence of Sri Lanka, this link was revived and reborn when the founding father of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister D.S.  Senanayake travelled to Pakistan to meet the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid i Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. more..

Aug 16 (LBO) Export-Import Bank of Korea together with the Asian Development Bank held a seminar on the Colombo-Trinco Economic Corridor (CTEC) recently with the aim of sharing the final policy consultation paper with the Sri Lankan govt. Officials from the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade and Sri Lanka Customs among other organizations were present. more..

Aug 16 (DN) Sri Lanka has recalled all-rounders Thisara Perera and Milinda Siriwardana and included left-arm bowlers Malinda Pushpakumara (spin) and Vishwa Fernando (pace) in their 15-man squad to face India in a series of five One-Day Internationals and a one-off T20 International. These players were overlooked for the last ODI series against Zim which SL lost 2-3. Perera has been busy representing English county Gloucester more..

Aug 16 (Island) If there is an asset, should it be exploited to the fullest in the shortest period of time? The traditional view would be based on very careful and controlled use. Today, in the global market place an asset is viewed very differently. As most investors in a business are interested in an ever increasing the bottom line question of eventual sustainability raises questions that need answers. Unfortunately, all exploitation has limits and if profit is the only criteria, more..

Aug 16 (PO) While SLC board is considering to send its team to Pakistan, the players should only concentrate on the game and nothing else. This advice has come from Tharanga Paranvitana, one of the six victims of 2003 Lahore Test attacks. Speaking from his home, where the 35-year-old Paranvitana said, “it is a welcome move by our board and I support it”. “If our team is going there the players should concentrate on cricket and forget about that fateful incident”. more..

Aug 16 (AOL) Sri Lanka white-ball captain Upul Tharanga has called for patience and support from the fans following their humiliating Test series defeat to India. Tharanga will lead Sri Lanka in five ODIs and one Twenty20 clash against India, having been whitewashed in the three Tests under the stewardship of red-ball skipper Dinesh Chandimal. After losing the opener by 304 runs, Sri Lanka were beaten by an innings and 53 runs and an innings and 171 runs in the final two games. more..

Aug 16 (Island) Sri Lanka’s cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala has been for some time now advocating four day Test matches, not surprising then his team is living up to his expectations. Sri Lanka’s shambolic performance in the Test series against India has seen them suffering their worst ever series defeat at home. The margins of defeats were massive – 304 runs in Galle, innings and 53 at SSC and innings and 171 runs at Pallekele. All three game failed to go the full distance more..

Aug 16 (FT) Japanese consortium led by business tycoon Harry Jayawardena has this week given a written offer on SriLankan Airlines to the Govt, which is trying to revive the national carrier on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The offer in writing is to own 49% stake and manage SriLankan Airlines. Written offer has been handed over to PM. The development follows the completion of a preliminary fact-finding mission more..

Aug 16 (Island) Olympian Sumeda Ranasinghe will captain Sri Lanka University team for the forthcoming World University Games which will be held in Chinese Taipei from August 19 to 30. The biennial Summer Universiade will draw more than 7,000 student athletes to Taipei, to compete in sports from basketball to swimming to Chinese martial arts. Sri Lanka University team will compete in track and field, swimming, badminton, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and weightlifting. more..

Aug 16 (Island) Despite 70 years of independence, as a developing country, SL remains poor, lagging far behind countries that were on par with us such as Singapore, and Malaysia. As a trade union representing an elite section of this nation, GMOA, should shoulder a significant social responsibility to ensure that our country is travelling in the right direction towards economic and social development. In recent times, unfortunately, actions of the GMOA do not seem to be much nation friendly. more..

Aug 16 (AD) Rohitha Rajapaksa, the youngest son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) a short while ago. He was reportedly summoned to record a statement regarding the satellite, The SupremeSAT-1 which was launched in 2012. Meanwhile, Rohitha’s mother Shiranthi Rajapaksa was summoned for questioning by CID, more..

Aug 16 (DN) IPM Sri Lanka, the Nation's leader in human resources management, re-elected Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri as its President at the AGM held on July 29, 2017 at the Waters Edge. Professor Dharmasiri together with the newly elected Executive Council while continuing with the many new important programs that were implemented during the previous year, has plans to embark upon many new initiatives and programs to take IPM as well as the HR fraternity to greater heights. more..

Aug 16 (DN) Colombo Chief Magistrate refused to grant permission on an animal welfare organization’s request to intervene into a case where illegally caught wild elephant calves being sold to third parties. Counsel Aruna Laksiri with Hemantha Balasuriya appearing for the Centre for Environmental and Cultural Studies sought court’s permission to intervene into the case. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris appearing on behalf of the Attorney General raised objections more..

Aug 16 (Island) PCoI probing CB-Perpetual Treasuries bond scams yesterday stressed that it wouldn’t be influenced by statements made by various persons regarding evidence given before it and also suggestions in respect of those whom they believed should be summoned. PCoI comprises Supreme Court Judges K. T. Chitrasiri and Prasanna Jayawardena and former senior Deputy Auditor General Kandasamy Velupillai. more..

Aug 16 (Island) Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara recently visited the Sri Lankans imprisoned in the Central Prison in Kuwait. He held discussions with top officials in Kuwait on exchanging prisoners in each other’s prisons. Deputy Minister held discussions with the Director of Domestic Services Department Mohamed Hamad Al-Ami and its management on registering local employment agencies with the view of legally empowering them to resolve issues between more..

Aug 16 (LM) Late last month, Colombo inked a revised version of a $1.1 billion deal for leasing the Hambantota port to a Chinese state-run company. The port has been controversial ever since the China Merchants Port Holdings signed a framework agreement in Dec 2016 with SL, taking an 80% stake in the project. Following the deal, however, there was much domestic unrest and accusations by SL’s opposition parties of a sell-out to China, forcing Colombo to reconsider its position. more..

Aug 16 (CT) Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake dismissed the direct involvement of ex-members of the now vanquished LTTE, in the number of recent violent incidents reported from Northern Province. When inquired as to whether any non-rehabilitated LTTE members have been involved in the events of last month and August, he claimed that due to several isolated incidents, which coincidentally involve former LTTE member, more..

Aug 16 (Island) Although Mr Indatissa, PC has not referred to section 7 (1) (bbb) of the Act in his written submissions, we consider that this statutory provision is directly relevant and applicable to the power vested in this Commission of Inquiry to issue an Order requiring Mr Palisena to produce his mobile communication devices and mobile computer devices and to submit an Affidavit containing information pertaining to the use of these devices, prior to Mr. Palisena giving evidence. more..

Aug 16 (ST) The awarding of the 300 MW (LNG) Combined Cycle Kerawalapitiya power plant tender is set to drag on further owing to certain disagreements in opening the financial bid of Samsung JV Korea Group without considering bids of seven other firms. This decision was taken by the Standard Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (SCAPC) amidst disagreement of the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), a senior official of Power & Energy Ministry said. more..

Aug 16 (DN) Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa pointed to her staff when questioned yesterday about the Land Rover received by her from SL Red Cross Society in 2011 as the head of the Siriliya Saviya Foundation. While speculation is rife about the possible role played by the vehicle in the abduction, torture and murder of Wasim Thajudeen in May 2012, former First Lady was not confronted directly with this evidence, more..

Aug 16 (DM) A special Court will be set up to investigate corruption that occurred during the precious regime, Minister Rajitha Senarathna said. He was speaking at the Sathayagraha titled Heta Delakshya Seeruwen organized by the Movement for the Protection of Convention among the 6.2 million people in front of the Viharamadevi Park. He said the Cabinet had initiated discussions on setting up of a Special Court immediately to conclude the corruption cases against more..

Aug 16 (CT) Crime Detection Unit of the Kegalle Police yesterday took into custody eight schoolboys who were planning to consume drugs and alcohol on a small island in the Maha Oya area, close to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. According to the Police, the students are from two leading schools in the Kandy District. Out of the eight students nabbed, seven are to sit the GCE O/L exam this year, while the other is a Grade 10 student. The students had planned to consume hard liquor and drugs. more..

Aug 16 (Island) Justice K. T. Chitrasiri, Chairman of the presidential Bond commission, yesterday asked CEO of Perpetual Treasuries (PTL) Kasun Palisena whether it was possible to identify the recordings of telephone conversations pertaining to specific bond transactions. Palisena said he needed time to comply with the commission’s instruction as all telephone conversations had to be examined. more..

Aug 16 (DM) What happened to the huge outcry that prevailed in the country a few weeks ago against the killer disease, dengue? The entire govt was agog with finding solutions to the rapid spread of the disease days ago while media too had focused its full attention towards the same end. There seems to be a considerable let up now in the flurry of activities that had been aimed at the eradication of dengue mosquitoes apparently because of the slight reduction of the number of dengue cases more..

Aug 16 (DM) Hilarious! Can you name the Magazine that featured Karunanayake as the best Finance Minister of the Year 2017?    Damn the name in shame. In fairness, a title awarded to the Asia Pacific region for obtaining a loan of US 1.5 billion for Sri Lanka. Let them lament in hell on lost credibility among institutions associated with the rock of Gibraltar status for financial sturdiness.   There are many journals’ that give coverage for a return of fortune – be on your marks, more..

Aug 16 (DM) The political world is like a burning inferno. These comments were made by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha during an interview where he commented on the present situation of the Govt. He is one of the political leaders who took great pains to establish the Yahapalana Govt.  Q: What will happen to the Govt if it continues this way?  A: Govts come and go within the frame of democracy. Situations have always changed. more..

Aug 16 (SL) Current state for emergency in the country as a result of the rapid spread of dengue which has reached epidemic proportions is seen as a threat to national security. Impact on several sectors such as tourism, investments, education and the overall workforce has potential to cripple the economy. Therefore, a meeting was held at Ministry of Defence recently with the participation of stakeholders and experts in health sector. more..

Aug 16 (ST) For three hours every morning from Tuesday, public buses will run on priority lanes. This is expected help vehicles move along at a better pace at rush hour. Bus only lanes will only be possible on three-lane roads. The dedicated lane will be available to public buses, office buses, school buses, and school vans. A transport researcher predicts that movement of vehicles will theoretically improve between more..

Aug 16 (NR) The JVP says the time is right to transform the country’s education system. Addressing a district conference party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the public must support this endeavor. MP said the education policy and the education system must be transformed adding that the country is nearing an era where the education system must undergo a radical change. He added if individuals don’t work towards more..

Aug 16 (CT) The Cabinet last Wednesday approved the increase of traffic fines up to Rs 25,000. New traffic regulations approved on Wednesday list five offences for which drivers will be fined. These five offences are driving without a license which applies to minors and adults, entering a railway crossing irresponsibly, driving without the vehicle insurance, and drunk driving. There will be a spot fine of Rs 2,000 more..

Aug 16 (NR) Deputy Minister Karunaratne Paranavithana says the legal process into completed investigations into acts of financial crime must be expedited. He noted no good will come in delaying the legal process. Deputy Minister said what has happened now is that the rouges have been identified but there is a delay in putting them behind bars adding that in reality the issue is a delay in judicial proceedings. more..

Aug 16 (Island) The Bar Association (BASL) has alleged that attempts are being made to interfere in law enforcement operations and the Attorney General’s Department in the wake of revelations made at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing into alleged Central Bank-Perpetual Treasuries bond scams. The following is the full text of the statement issued by BASL President U.R. de Silva, PC yesterday: more..

Aug 16 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena says baseless slander and defamations are not issues for him during his journey towards to make a better future for the country and the people. He was speaking at a religious ceremony to unveil the marble Buddha statue at Sri Dharma Vijayaloka Maha Viharaya in Pannipitiya today (15). The Buddha statue has been brought from Myanmar to Sri Dharma Vijayaloka Maha Viharaya. more..

Aug 16 (Scroll) Why does Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port matter to India? Simple: the SL govt has just handed over a 70% stake in the port to a Chinese company, China China Merchants Ports Holding Authority, for 99 years. Which means that, besides in Pakistan, China will now have a base in another neighbouring country of India’s, namely, Sri Lanka. As the video above Sri Lankan media house Roar Reports explains, more..

Aug 16 (Island) The Cabinet of ministers, at its meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday, had taken up what some members described as inordinate delay in taking action against the Rajapaksa family and ministers of the previous govt. Political sources said that several ministers had strongly criticised the delay and veteran UNPer Gamini Jayawickrema Perera had stressed the need to handle cases through more..

Aug 16 (CT) Govt has begun implementing a bus priority lane, seemingly mainly targeting certain busy roads in Colombo such as the Galle Road (A2), Sri Lanka's busiest, but certainly not the biggest roadway, from yesterday. The apparent objectives of this project are to reduce traffic congestion and therewith fuel waste, while the probable third objective which complements the first may be to reduce driver stress, resulting in the minimization of road accidents. more..

Aug 16 (FT) There was nothing wrong with my internet connection. At a click of a button I was connected to the universe, emails, news, TV – it was good. There were exciting things happening in the country, an international cricketing encounter in Colombo, an impending no confidence motion in Parliament, speculated Cabinet changes and I was not going to miss a single ball. The  world outside was equally absorbing, an errant North Korea being dangerously provocative, more..